Chapter 1000 Rookie Goat
"Two hundred million US dollars over ten years; US$100 million guaranteed; effective in the 2021 season."
The prelude to a new history is slowly opening.
This means that Levi will become the league's highest-paid running back, the first running back in history with an annual salary exceeding the 20 million threshold. The natural chasm that running backs have been striving for has finally been broken.
This means that Levi will become the first running back in the history of the league to sign a ten-year contract, breaking the prejudice barrier that running backs are expendable——
Ten years later, an annual salary of $20 million is probably still an astonishing figure for a running back.
This means that Levi will become the second player ever to have a guaranteed salary of more than $100 million after Rodgers, and he is not a quarterback.
A series of numbers, a series of shocks.
Just looking at the numbers is already very scary; but what is truly astonishing is the far-reaching impact behind the numbers:
Levi broke and overturned the dilemma of running backs in one fell swoop, overturned the disadvantages, whether it was annual salary or years, and set a new benchmark for running backs' contract renewal. He single-handedly proved that running backs have more possibilities.
Gurley. Bell. Peterson. There is finally a gap in the barrier that these elite running backs have been chasing but have never been able to break.
History is far from simple.
So, does this mean other running backs in the league can also turn around?
uncertain.
Last season, Cousins signed the first-ever fully guaranteed contract with the Minnesota Vikings. At that time, it caused concerns throughout the league whether there would be a wave of fully guaranteed contracts.
However, no, no player could replicate Cousins' feat the following year.
Running back, same thing.
What Levi can do, other running backs may not be able to do.
But no matter what, at least Levi opened a gap and set an example. When other running backs try to chase higher salary, they will not be blinded. They can follow Levi's footsteps——
There is the first, but there is not necessarily the second; but there must be the first before the second can appear.
Suddenly, the entire league was in a sensation, far more exciting and crazy than when Rodgers signed a record-breaking contract last year.
Bell, "It's worth it. Levi, it's worth it."
Peterson, "Levi has proven himself, and I believe he will continue to prove himself. It also proves that running backs should not be ignored or ignored. We will use practical actions to prove the value of our existence."
Henry, "Wise choice, Kansas Chief! Levi deserves it."
Barkley, "There is no doubt that this is a recognition Levi has personally earned; but I believe the running back deserves more."
McCaffrey, "Ahhhh, ahhhh!" McCaffrey was even more excited than himself about renewing the contract, "I mean, isn't this a matter of course? Haha, Levi totally deserves it. Get this treatment. He is here, he is there..."
As he spoke, McCaffrey actually started singing loudly on the spot.
Not only that, a kind of legendary celebrities also came forward to support Levi.
Tomlinson, "Levi deserves it. If Levi's performance is still ignored and ignored, I won't think it is Levi's loss. I believe it is a loss for the league and the fans. He deserves better."
Big Manning, "This is a good thing. I know that everyone is paying attention to the quarterback, but I have always emphasized that the quarterback is nothing without other players. Levi proved the value of the running back with practical actions, I think people should see that and change their prejudices. "I don't care, but maybe it's a good thing that someone did."
Watt, "Believe me, no one is happier for the rookie than me. If you have seen him, whether it is on the court or off the court, you will know why he can become the top player in the league and still be so popular."
Donald, "I'm really happy for him. I called him immediately and he promised to treat him to dinner the next time he comes to Los Angeles. I also promised him that I will do my best when we meet at the stadium next time. Tackle the highest-paid running back in the league.”
Praise, affirmation, support.
Especially the running backs, who were bustling with unity, all stood on Levi's side, waving the flag and cheering for Levi.
From Levi's voice for Bell last season to Levi's opening up a gap for running backs this season, Levi has grown into a new banner for running backs.
However, amidst the noise, Gurley never spoke.
Obviously, the former running back with the highest annual salary in the league is dissatisfied with Levi's rise. When he raised the maximum annual salary ceiling for running backs last year, other running backs accused him of being selfish; this year Levi completed the same thing, and suddenly Become a superhero soon?
Damn it.
This was Gurley's own idea. He selectively forgot about the dispute between Bell and the Pittsburgh Steelers last year. His signing at that time was equivalent to stabbing Bell in the back, so he became the target of the league's running backs; however, the person involved I certainly don't think so.
Therefore, Gurley refused to bless Levi, he didn't care what others thought.
Without Gurley and without much influence, the entire alliance fell into a whirlpool of violent storms, and everyone went crazy because of Levi.
Imagine, a rookie, still a rookie. In the next season, Levi is only in his third year. He is still a young boy in the league, and his rookie contract has not even ended.
However, Levi is already moving at full speed on the road to GOAT, from his outstanding performance in the first two seasons to reaching the Super Bowl for two consecutive years, from awakening the sluggish economy of Kansas City to opening up new areas of the market, and more Not to mention the strength at the commercial level, now coupled with the writing history of salary contracts, everything is perfect.
Perhaps the most exciting thing is that the history the league is witnessing is not just a contract, but a documentary about a rookie growing into a goat.
"Rookie goat", two contradictory words found a perfect combination in Levi.
The entire alliance is in a state of shock.
So, what about the parties involved?
When the outside world was going crazy because of Levi, Levi was indeed watching the preseason game video with the offensive team in the conference room——
No lies.
Because Levi clearly knows how overwhelming the weight is at this moment, and how crazy the attention will be next. All other players in the league are eyeing it, not only eager to defeat the Kansas Chiefs, but also eager to defeat him.
Competitive sports matters still need to be resolved on the field after all.
Whether the history-making high salary of the league's No. 1 running back can convince the public, the next long season will be the battlefield to answer.
And he was ready.
Imagine the journey of the new season, the goal of three consecutive championships and the challenge of becoming the target of public criticism. This will be a brand new story different from the previous three years. How could Levi not be excited?
The contract matter is temporarily put behind him, and Levi's attention has been fully focused on the upcoming new season.
The joy of football is finally back.
(End of chapter)